New minor glycoside components from saffron.

Phytochemical investigation of the stigmas of Crocus sativus resulted in the isolation of eight glycosides (1-8) including a new safranal glycoside (2) and a new carotenoid pigment (6). The structures of the new compounds were identified as (4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde 4-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 3)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (2) and trans-crocetin-1-al 1-O-β-gentiobiosyl ester (6) on the basis of extensive chemical and spectroscopic evidence.